1. Colorado Marijuana Impact: The Collateral Damages

2. Outline HIDTA 101 Maryland Cannabis Policy 101 Federal Drug Policy 101
Prevention- Treatment- Enforcement
Maryland Cannabis Policy 101
Federal Drug Policy 101
Arguments For and Against Legalization
Colorado Marijuana Impact: Collateral Damages

3. HIDTA Mission
The mission of the HIDTA program is to disrupt the market for illegal drugs in the United States by assisting Federal, state, local law enforcement to dismantle and disrupt drug trafficking organizations, with particular emphasis on drug trafficking regions that have harmful effects on other parts of the United States.
February 2015
LEA SENSITIVE

4. High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area- HIDTA
The HIDTA program provides resources to Federal, state, local, and tribal agencies in each HIDTA region to carry out activities that address the specific drug threats of that region. HIDTA regions are areas determined to be critical drug trafficking regions of the United States.
February 2015
LEA SENSITIVE

5. HIDTA
Facilitate cooperation among Federal, state, and local law enforcement to share information
Provide reliable intelligence for law enforcement to design effective strategies
Enhance law enforcement intelligence sharing
Maximize use of resources through coordinated strategies
February 2015
LEA SENSITIVE

6. HIDTA
There are 28 regional HIDTAs which include approximately 15% of all counties in the United States and 60% of the population.
Each HIDTA is governed by an Executive Board. Only those agencies with a staff member assigned full-time in a HIDTA initiative may be a voting member of the Board. The Board have equal representation between Federal, state, and local.
W/B HIDTA serves Washington, Baltimore, Virginia, and parts of West Virginia.
W/B HIDTA has 39 initiatives representing over 50 agencies, including treatment and prevention.
February 2015
LEA SENSITIVE

7. April 2016
LEA SENSITIVE

8. April 2016
LEA SENSITIVE

9. Effectively Working with LE
Collaborative Effort

10. Maryland Marijuana Policy 101
2014: Legalized medical marijuana and decriminalized (civil penalty) possession for those over 21 of small amounts of recreational marijuana (10 grams or less) 1st offense: $100 fine, 2nd offense: $250, 3rd offense: $500
A person under 21 who is found guilty of possessing less than 10 grams of marijuana can have their driver’s license suspended, ordered to participate in a substance abuse program, and ordered to participate in a work program.
Possession of drug paraphernalia is a criminal offense. Paraphernalia can be a number of things such as pipes, rolling papers, and baggies. Someone found guilty of possessing paraphernalia can be sentenced to pay a fine up to $
It’s legally possible for someone to receive a civil citation for possessing less than 10 grams of marijuana and a criminal citation for possessing the plastic bag that holds the marijuana. Although a possession of paraphernalia conviction doesn’t carry jail time, it is a criminal misdemeanor.

11. MD Medical Marijuana 101
Medical Marijuana Commission and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene are responsible for developing regulations for marijuana access.
The law approved the following conditions. The patient’s condition must be severe, other medical treatments have been ineffective, and the symptoms reasonably can be expected to be relieved by the medical use of cannabis. Doctor must complete an in person assessment of the patient’s medical history and current medical condition, create and maintain medically standardized records, monitor patient and follow up. Physicians who register are called “certifying physicians” because they can issue written certifications to their patients to obtain and use medical cannabis.
Severe or persistent muscle spasms
Seizures
Severe nausea
Severe or chronic pain
Anorexia
Cachexia or wasting syndrome: Appears in patients with certain chronic and terminal illnesses who experience severe weight loss.

12. MD Medical Marijuana 101
Laws for possession have yet to be formulated, and while licenses are available for dispensaries, there are no operational dispensaries as of yet.
A total of 1081 applications were submitted to the Commission, of which there were:
811 dispensary
145 cultivating
124 processing
Dispensary: sells directly to consumers.
Grower: cultivates medical cannabis from seed or clone.
Processor: transforms raw marijuana into another product or extract.
On August 5, 2016, the Commission voted on 15 Growers, 15 Processors
In August 2016, the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission announced the 15 growers and 15 processors that were pre-approved for licenses and are expected to announce the 94 dispensary application winners soon .

13. Drug Policy 101
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States,1 and many Americans do not perceive it as potentially harmful.2 Although the laws regarding marijuana use have changed in several states over the past decade, marijuana remains classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning that it is categorized as having a high potential for abuse and has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the US. In other words, marijuana use remains illegal under federal laws in all states and the District of Columbia.

14. National Drug Policy Purpose of Drug Policy
Drug use affects every sector of society, straining our economy, health care, and criminal justice system and endangering the future of young people. Policy is designed to reduce drug use.
ONDCP webpage

16. Marijuana Related Deaths Luke Goodman (Keystone, CO)
Kristine Kirk
(Denver, CO)
Levy Thamba Pongi
(Denver, CO)
Luke Goodman (Keystone, CO)
SOURCE: Open Source

17. Factors that affect drug Use
Price
Availability
Perception of Risk
Public Attitude

18. Legalize it?
The Washington Post, Mar 16, 2015, By Nick Miroff
Mexican traffickers are sending a flood of cheap heroin and methamphetamine across the U.S. border, the latest drug seizure statistics show, in a new sign that America’s marijuana decriminalization trend is upending the North American narcotics trade.

19. Legalize it?
About 6 percent of 12th grade students reported that they smoked pot daily — about the same percentage as in And 5.5 percent of high school seniors reported smoking tobacco cigarettes every day, down from 6.7 percent in It is the first time since the survey was first conducted in 1975 that daily marijuana use has eclipsed smoking.

20. 2013 and 2014 National Survey on Drug Use
The Issue
2013 and 2014 National Survey on Drug Use
Americans age 12 and older (past month):
10% used illegal drugs
25% used tobacco
52% used alcohol
SOURCE: National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2013 and 2014

21. Perception is Reality

22. Arguments FOR Legalization
Eliminate arrests for possession and sale
Free up law enforcement resources
Reduce traffic fatalities
No increase in use, even among youth
Added revenue generated through taxation
Reduce profits for the drug cartels trafficking marijuana

23. Arguments AGAINST Legalization
Increases in:
Marijuana related traffic fatalities
Use among youth and adults
People in drug treatment
Diversion for unintended purposes
Impacts and costs for public health and safety

24. Familiar?

26. Will Maryland experience the same trends?
Impact in Colorado
What Does the Data Say?
Will Maryland experience the same trends?

27. Comparison Dates 2006 – 2008: Early Medical Marijuana Era
1,000 – 4,800 cardholders and 0 known dispensaries
2009 – 2012: Medical Marijuana Commercialization
and Expansion Era
108,000 cardholders and 532 licensed dispensaries
2013 – Present: Medical Marijuana Commercialization and
Recreational Marijuana Era

28. Impaired Driving - Fatalities

29. Total Number of Statewide Traffic Deaths
Commercialization
Legalization
SOURCE: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)

30. Traffic Deaths Related to Marijuana
SOURCE: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), RMHIDTA

31. Total Traffic Deaths vs Traffic Deaths Related to Marijuana
SOURCE: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), RMHIDTA

32. Impaired Driving

33. Number of DUIDs, 2015
SOURCE: Colorado State Patrol

34. Percent of DUIDs Involving Marijuana
SOURCE: Larimer County Sherriff’s Office

35. Marijuana Use in Youth

36. Current Marijuana Use 2013/2014
Youth (12-17 yrs)
Current Marijuana Use 2013/2014
Colorado average for youth = percent
National average for youth = 7.22 percent
Colorado was ranked 1st in the nation for current marijuana use among youth
74 percent higher than the national average
Colorado youth use increased 20 percent (2013/2014 compared to 2011/2012)
Nationally youth use declined 4 percent
SOURCE: SAMHSA.gov, National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2013 & 2014

37. Past Month Usage by 12 to 17 Year-Olds, 2013/2014 Colorado Average
Legalized Recreational/Medical Marijuana State (as of 2014)
Legalized Medical Marijuana State (as of 2014)
Non-Legalized Medical Marijuana State (as of 2014)
National Average
SOURCE: SAMHSA.gov, National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2013 & 2014

38. Average Past Month Use by 12 to 17 Year-Olds, 2013/2014
SOURCE: SAMHSA.gov, National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2013 and 2014

39. Colorado Average Past Month Use of Marijuana Ages 12 to 17 Years
SOURCE: National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2013 and 2014

40. Percent of Total Suspensions in Colorado, 2004-2014
SOURCE: Colorado Department of Education

42. Predominant Marijuana Violations
SOURCE: Colorado Association School Resource Officers (CASRO) and RMHIDTA, 2015

43. Student Marijuana Source
SOURCE: Colorado School Counselor Association (CSCA) and RMHIDTA, 2015

44. College-Age Marijuana Use

45. College-Age Adults (18-25yr) Current Marijuana Use 2013/2014
Colorado average = percent
National average = percent
Colorado was ranked 1st in the nation for current marijuana use among college-age adults
62 percent higher than the national average
Colorado college age use increased 17 percent (2013/2014 compared to 2011/2012)
Nationally there was a 2 percent increase
SOURCE: SAMHSA.gov, National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2013 & 2014

46. College Age, 18 to 25 Years-Old, Past Month Marijuana Use
SOURCE: SAMHSA.gov, National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2013 and 2014

47. Adult Marijuana Use

48. Current Marijuana Use 2013/2014
Adults (26+ yrs)
Current Marijuana Use 2013/2014
Colorado average = percent
National average = 6.11 percent
Colorado was ranked 1st in the nation for current marijuana use among adults
104 percent higher than the national average
Adult use increased 63 percent compared to pre-legalization years 2011/2012
Nationally an increase of 21 percent
SOURCE: SAMHSA.gov, National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2013 & 2014

49. Adult, Ages 26+, Past Month Marijuana Use
SOURCE: SAMHSA.gov, National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2013 and 2014

50. Emergency Room Visits and Hospitalizations

51. Colorado Emergency Department Rates Likely Related to Marijuana
SOURCE: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

52. Colorado Hospitalization Rates Likely Related to Marijuana
SOURCE: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

53. Marijuana and Poison Control Cases

54. Adolescents, Ages 6 to 17, Average Number of Marijuana-Related Exposures
SOURCE: Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center

55. Children, Ages 0 to 5, Average Number of Marijuana-Related Exposures
SOURCE: Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center

56. Diversion by Highway

57. Colorado Marijuana Interdiction Seizures (Incidents)
Commercialization
Legalization
SOURCE: El Paso Intelligence Center, National Seizure System

58. Colorado Marijuana Interdiction Seizures (Pounds)
SOURCE: El Paso Intelligence Center, National Seizure System

59. Colorado Marijuana Destination States (*2015)
(Total Reported Incidents Per State)
SOURCE: El Paso Intelligence Center, National Seizure System
*38 interdictions, destination: UNKNOWN

60. Diversion by Postal

61. Parcels Containing Marijuana from CO Destined for Another State
SOURCE: United States Postal Inspection Service

62. Pounds of CO Marijuana Seized
SOURCE: United States Postal Inspection Service

63. Colorado Marijuana Destined for Other Countries (2014)
SOURCE: United States Customs and Border Protection

64. CO Marijuana Parcels Destined for Outside the Continental U.S.
SOURCE: United States Customs and Border Protection

65. THC Extraction Lab Explosions

66. Live Resin Wax $60/g
SOURCE: Mindful

67. THC Extraction Labs
SOURCE: RMHIDTA Investigative Support Center

69. Collateral Damages Chemicals Electrical/Water Federal lands
Money laundering
Prostitution
Transients
Home grows
SOURCE: RMHIDTA

70. Home Grows
SOURCE: DEA

71. Scenario 1 As of January 2016: 107,798 medical marijuana patients
8,210 patients with recommendations for plants
(8% of all patients)
If 8,200 patients each grow 50 plants = 410,000 marijuana plants
*The state-licensed medical/recreational industry currently has 758,000 plants in its inventory tracking system
If 8,200 patients harvest one pound per plant every 90 days
= 1,640,000 pounds of marijuana per year
SOURCE: DEA

72. Scenario 2 5 people from FL move to CO and rent 3 houses
All 5 individuals obtain a medical recommendation to grow 99 plants
Now they can “legally” grow up to 495 plants
At least 1 lb per plant per cycle
495 lbs every 90 days = 1,980 lbs per year 
CO = $2,000 per lb
$3.9 million per year
East Coast = $4,000 per lb
$7.9 million per year
SOURCE: DEA

73. SOURCE: DEA

74. All Reported Crimes in Denver
11% Increase
4% Increase
Source: National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) definitions in the City and County of Denver, January 9, 2015

75. CO’s Total General Fund Revenue, FY 2015
SOURCE: Colorado Office of State Planning and Budgeting, June 2015 Forecast (eleven months of data)

76. Edibles Definitions are critical: Let me ask you something,
is it public consumption if you are smoking marijuana your backyard?
Is it public consumption if you are smoking marijuana in your front yard?
Make sure these are clear and consistent across all who are involved
Public consumption is illegal regardless if you are an adult or youth

77. Edibles Definitions are critical: Let me ask you something,
is it public consumption if you are smoking marijuana your backyard?
Is it public consumption if you are smoking marijuana in your front yard?
Make sure these are clear and consistent across all who are involved
Public consumption is illegal regardless if you are an adult or youth

78. Edibles Definitions are critical: Let me ask you something,
is it public consumption if you are smoking marijuana your backyard?
Is it public consumption if you are smoking marijuana in your front yard?
Make sure these are clear and consistent across all who are involved
Public consumption is illegal regardless if you are an adult or youth
SOURCE: Open Source

79. Outlook
SOURCE: Open Source

80. Outlook
SOURCE: Open Source

81. Snapshot in Colorado Topic Status Public Safety Fatal Accidents
Impaired Driving Incidents
Youth (12 – 17 yrs)
Past Month Use
Suspension/Expulsion
SOURCE: RMHIDTA

82. Snapshot in Colorado Topic Status College Age (18 -25 yrs)
Past Month Use
Adults (26+ yrs)
SOURCE: RMHIDTA

83. Snapshot in Colorado Topic Status Public Health Impact
Emergency Room Admissions
Exposures
Exposures 0-5 yr olds
SOURCE: RMHIDTA

84. Snapshot in Colorado Topic Status THC Extraction Labs Explosions
Injuries
Criminal Activity
Diversion by Motor Vehicle
Diversion by Parcel
SOURCE: RMHIDTA

85. Special Thanks to Chelsey Clarke at RM HIDTA Associate Deputy Director
QUESTIONS?
John Cook
Associate Deputy Director
W/B HIDTA